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Apple has just unveiled the new 2nd-generation HomePod, a full-sized smart speaker that boasts enhanced Siri capabilities, Spatial Audio support, an S7 chip, and more. The device, which retails for $299, is available for pre-order starting today and will hit stores on February 3rd.
The new HomePod boasts an edge-to-edge backlit touch surface and comes in two color options: white and midnight, a new color made with 100 percent recycled mesh fabric. The speaker also features a color-matched woven power cable.
According to Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, the new HomePod delivers “rich, deep bass, natural mid-range, and clear, detailed highs.”
He added, “With the popularity of HomePod mini, we’ve seen growing interest in even more powerful acoustics achievable in a larger HomePod. We’re thrilled to bring the next generation of HomePod to customers around the world.”
The new HomePod is equipped with a four-inch high-excursion woofer, five tweeters, four microphones, an S7 chip for computational audio, and support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.
Additionally, the speaker has a new Sound Recognition feature that can listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and send a notification directly to the user’s iPhone.
The device also features a built-in temperature and humidity sensor that can measure indoor environments, allowing users to create automation that closes the blinds or turn on the fan automatically when a certain temperature is reached in a room.
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The HomePod (2nd generation) is available to order for $299 from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in various countries and regions starting today, with availability beginning on February 3rd.
The device is compatible with iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later, or iPhone 8 and later running iOS 16.3 or later; or iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation) and later, iPad Air (3rd generation) and later, or iPad mini (5th generation) and later running iPadOS 16.3.